Frequently Asked Questions

Questions regarding specific tours can be found on corresponding tour pages. The questions below address general inquiries about On Location Tours. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us!

Yes. The tours travel through much of Manhattan while highlighting the specific TV and movie locations that are the tour’s focus. As a result, families and friends often find this tour an ideal way to tour the city. While the tour does not visit such Manhattan landmarks as the Statue of Liberty or Empire State Building, you will be visiting neighborhoods such as Greenwich Village, Chelsea, SoHo and the East Village.

The exact itinerary and route of the tour varies somewhat from tour to tour, so we can’t say ahead of time exactly which locations will be visited on a specific tour. There are usually 3-4 scheduled stops on each tour, including various bars, shops and other locations, but tour routes may differ from tour to tour. You will be provided with a handout that lists many of the real-life locations on the tour so you can revisit them at your leisure afterwards.

While it is extremely rare, we do sometimes need to skip or modify certain locations that usually are part of the tour. Since the tour is visiting real-life locations all around Manhattan, the tour’s itinerary can sometimes be impacted by traffic conditions, store hours, etc. On Location Tours assumes no liability or responsibility for: traffic conditions, access to sites, or other conditions beyond its control.

Absolutely not! The tour takes place on a coach bus since the locations are spread out throughout the city. Each tour will get off the bus at a number of different locations along the way, giving you the opportunity to experience the locations and take pictures. Whenever you leave the bus, it is with the tour guide. The tour includes a mix of on-the-bus viewings of locations and stops to get off the bus to explore, all woven into the story of how they relate to the TV shows and movies that have portrayed them on the big and small screens.

Buses are not equipped with lap or shoulder belts or harnesses.

No, On Location Tours does not keep a waiting list for our tours. Tours usually sell out, and often well in advance, so please make sure to purchase your tickets far in advance, especially if you have limited time availability.

Yes. While photography and filming are not allowed on the bus portion of the tours, there are some great spots for taking photos and videos at our numerous stops along the way. You may take photos at the various locations your guide is highlighting.

Gratuities are not included in the price of the tour ticket. A tip for exemplary service is always appreciated, but never required.

No food or drinks are served on the tours, but you can feel free to bring something of your own if it is neat and you’re sure to remove all garbage from the bus at the end of the tour. Depending on the tour, there may be a few quick stops where you can grab something during the tour. Alcohol is completely prohibited on the bus.

The tour is conducted on an enclosed coach bus. It is heated in the winter and air conditioned in the summer.

Yes, but you need to contact On Location Tours directly before booking your tickets to arrange a wheelchair accessible bus, if needed. To do this, please email [email protected]. Buses are not equipped with lap or shoulder belts or harnesses. We are committed to providing accessible tours to persons with disabilities and are able to provide accessible vehicles for passengers with mobility impairments. Notice of the need for an accessible vehicle at least 24 hours in advance or more is strongly recommended so as to guarantee the timely provision of an accessible vehicle. The wheelchair lifts can accommodate up to approximately 600 pounds total. However, If you will be using a fold-up wheelchair and will be traveling with someone who can provide assistance on and off the bus, you do not need to inform us ahead of time as all of our buses have room in the luggage compartment to store it.

Yes, gift cards are available and make a perfect gift for holidays, birthdays or any other occasion! To purchase a gift card for this activity, please click on the “Gift Cards” button at the top of our website.

Yes, you can! When you purchase your gift card online, you will be presented immediately with your gift card so that you can print it out and deliver it. If you buy it over the phone, a link to your gift card will be emailed to you as soon as your purchase is completed.

That’s no problem, either! When you purchase your gift card, just select the option to have the card emailed directly to the recipient and provide their email address.

Yes, private tours are available. Most groups, however, decide to attend the public tour for two reasons. First, it is usually significantly less expensive. Second, part of the fun of the tour is interacting with all the other TV & movie fans that take the public tour. If you are interested in booking a private tour, contact On Location Tours by emailing [email protected].

You can take these on walking tours.The bus tours are conducted on a coach bus, so limited storage space is available. Please keep in mind that there will be several stops of up to 15-20 minutes each where we will be leaving the bus. If you are not comfortable leaving your belongings on the bus during this time, you might want to reconsider bringing them. We also have storage under the bus if needed.

Children 1-5 are free on the NYC TV & Movie Sites Tour, the When Harry Met Seinfeld Tour, the Holiday Lights & Movies Sites Tour, the TCM Classic Film Tour, the East Village TV & Movie Sites Walking Tour, and the Central Park TV & Movie Sites Walking Tour. You do not need to purchase a ticket for them, however, we cannot guarantee them a seat. If the bus is full they may have to sit on a lap. If the child will need a guaranteed seat, this must be purchased. While young children are welcome on the tour, please be aware if your child proves disruptive or excessively restless, you may be asked to leave.

Our Central Park TV & Movie Sites Tour is offered in Spanish, German, French, and Chinese. Our NYC TV & Movie Sites Tour is offered in Spanish. All of our other tours are only conducted in English. Since so much of the tour is visual, however, visitors from countries such as Japan, Germany, France, Spain and many others have enjoyed the tour just the same! Customers interested in the Sex and the City Hotspots Tour can download an app to experience the tour in German for an additional charge, and French speaking tourists can do the same on the NYC TV & Movie Tour. Customers must download the app in advance. With the app, customers will take the English speaking tour while listening to the app with headphones in German or French on their respective tours.

Yes.

Premium seating offers guaranteed assigned seating in the first four rows of the bus. There is an additional charge for Premium Seating. Otherwise, seating is first come, first serve. If you have a number of people in your party that want to sit together, you should make sure to arrive 15-20 minutes early. Guests that arrive late or right at the starting time are much more likely to have to split up their group.